Life on the edge - the Diary of a C5

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 21 Dec 2014, 12:54

La Fifi est mort - vive la Fifi!!!!!

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 23 Dec 2014, 12:02

Ay up!

I've been kinda quiet but that's because i've been reading the Boards, learning about this 'ere C5. The level of techogeekery to make the car drive like a conventional motor is amazing! Lovely to know that Citroen still do quirky.

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 24 Dec 2014, 09:53

Ay up!

RIP Fifi VI. She's been a goodun to me, put 100,000 miles on the ol' bus.

Rather than post a picture of the mouldering wreck, I've posted instead a picture of her in her pomp.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 24 Dec 2014, 17:16

Xantianut wrote: Rather than post a picture of the mouldering wreck, I've posted instead a picture of her in her pomp.

And very nice too!

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 07 Jan 2015, 01:45

Ay up!

Quick question, mainly due to my relative ignorance of diesel engines.

I have found a full gasket set with a 5 notch head gasket and a full set of bolts for sale at a reasonable price. Is an Elring gasket any good, BTW? However, would fitting a gasket that is thicker than the engine needs cause any problems, other than a slight loss of compression? Will it, for example, cause premature failure, as I have been told?

I won't know what gasket is needed until I get into the engine and measure the piston protusion. Someone has been there before me. One EGR valve bolt is missing and I am expecting to find a turbo nut* missing. So the gasket that's in may not necessarily be the correct one. Of course, if she needs a 5 notch gasket, no worries!

Thanks for the comment re Fifi VI, aka Cati Bach CitroJim. She was a good one to me and it hurt to part with her.

I'll never forget that old bus!

*other than the one behind the wheel of course!

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 08 Jan 2015, 15:26

Day 1

Two things have happened today.

Firstly, the screams I heard last night have been explained. Daddy's Wallet was attacking him after he had given a serious bashing. So far the timing kit and head gasket set have arrived with, presumably, a lot more stuff to come. I know for a FACT that he doesn't have a suitable socket to get these head bolts out with! So a few more lumpy parcels to arrive I reckon. Time to put my feet up for a bit.

Or so I thought. He took me to the tip, the second thing. Was I ever relieved that they do not accept vehicles! I thought he was putting the frighteners on me! No, he was just dumping an old scrap computer and some old tire compressors. Whew!

My tummy ache is getting worse.

Should be mended soon. I hope.

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 09 Jan 2015, 13:37

Day 2

A lot of lumpy parcels arrived today. So nearly ready for my overhaul. I'm looking forward to this. Now the parcels are arriving, I'm less likely to be scrapped.

Hang on - what if they're model railway bits and I'm being softened up? Citroen owners do not lie to their cars do they?

No - I'm safe. He's just shown me the timing belt and water pump. And the 4 lb hammer.......

Unread post by **Hell Razor5543** » 09 Jan 2015, 15:39

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Jan 2015, 18:02

I really enjoy your blog entries XN

Keep up the good work and here's to it all going marvellously well on the overhaul front

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 09 Jan 2015, 20:21

Ay up!

This is going to be a full top end overhaul. Seeing as there are the valve stem oil seals in the head kit and a valve spring compressor, grinding stick (high tech tools here!) and the paste being less than £20? Daft not to. Especially seeing as another gasket will be £35 with all that kerfuffle?

No brainer innit?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 09 Jan 2015, 22:28

Xantianut wrote: No brainer innit?

No, but very achy arms after all that valve grinding

Unread post by **Northern_Mike** » 09 Jan 2015, 22:36

Yes. The job always given to the apprentice. Don't ask me how I remember that. It was bad enough doing Beetle heads with only 4 valves in each. God knows what a modern 16 or 20 valver must be like.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

lexi · Unread post by **lexi** » 09 Jan 2015, 23:07

Check out with the old grinding thing. You don't want any hardening or special metal coatings ground off.
Not sure about your C5 Diesel but I would check it out. It is a modern HDI.

I ground the valves about 4 yrs ago on Landrover. The paste has got me out of a few holes. If your spanner fit is not as tight as you would like in an awkward place, put some coarse grinding paste on bolt head. It gives that little bit better fit and grip.........screw driver slots too.

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 10 Jan 2015, 04:16

northern_mike wrote:God knows what a modern 16 or 20 valver must be like.

I can answer that - it's a real pain......

While I'm here, there appear to be no special coatings on either the valve or the seat. So I can grind happily, if sparingly....

Xantianut · Unread post by **Xantianut** » 10 Jan 2015, 14:45

Day 5

Just one parcel today, a very slim one. Daddy hasn't shown me the contents so must be summat to do with his trains.

Hopefully not long now......

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